That doesn't sound nearly as neat as "homeowners" but it's just as a wonderful feeling! On Monday, Graym and I put in the security deposit for our new apartment. Can you believe it? We found the place where we are going to LIVE! Words cannot describe how stinkin excited we are and how blessed we feel. We had been researching various apartment complexes in the area but after visiting two, we were a little off put. We had a strict limit of $1500 a month (crazy, right? Welcome to DC...) but in this area, we'd be lucky to find something that is in a good location, part of a safe neighborhood, was a decent home, and affordable all in one. Yea, we can find places that rent out a studio or one bedroom for that rate, but when you add in the cost of utilities, cable/internet, laundry, parking, and more, you're looking at paying closer to $1800. No thank you. And the places that did include all of that within the $1500 cap, we'd either need to hire me a security guard or be stuck in the 1950s. Needless to say, I was getting a little frustrated with the prospect of finding a nice place to live until I remembered a little tip that more than one person had recently suggested to us: look for an independent owner; someone who is renting out their condo, town house, or finished basement. So off to Craigslist I went and after spending a few days scouring the ads I stumbled upon a few that seemed encouraging and began making phones.
We were absolutely AMAZED at the difference that renting a persons home or apartment could make verses an apartment complex. The properties were often twice as big, in beautiful, safe locations, and their rental cost often included all, if not most, of the utilities and other hidden costs. After viewing 3 other places and working with one man to settle on a price and move in date, Graym and I have put our deposit down and will residing in a basement apartment in Alexandria, VA.
Now when I say this place is awesome, I mean that it is awesome. We have our own private entrance to the basement which leads to 1100 square feet of beautiful home. The kitchen is huge, the appliances are all 5 years old or less, and we even have our own washer/dryer. Two french doors lead to the bedroom and both that and the living room have beautiful Berber carpet to cushion our toes. The neighborhood itself is gorgeous with new, large homes built 7 years ago and it is located directly across the street from Kingstowne center. If you've never been there, it's a great spot and has been lovingly coined "the new old town." Within a 5 minute walk we can find ourselves face to face with the movie theater, lots of small shops and restaurants, the grocery store, Walmart, and one of our favorite places to shop: Khols. A ten minute drive down the road in either direction is the Springfield Mall and Old Town Alexandria, and within 20 to 30 minutes we can be hanging out with Grammie and Bapa or mom and papa, hanging in DC, or shopping at Tysons. Since we'll technically be considered a resident of the home, we'll have access to all the community amenities as well which include 3 club houses that you can rent for special events, 3 giant pools, tennis courts (with lights for night playing!), and a massive weight room that includes all the free weights, kettlebells, and cardio equipment you can imagine.
All this for.........*drum roll please*.........$1475/month. BAM! Utilities, parking, cable/internet, everything you could imagine is included. Graym and I feel so blessed to have found this place, to be the only tenants the owner even considered, and to know that in just a few short months we'll be calling it home. Unfortunately I have already gotten in to complete home decorating mode and am ready to buy lots of pretty stuff to furnish the place! Thankfully we begin renting July 15 so at least we don't have to wait as long for that.
Here are some of the pictures that the owner posted on craigslist. They definitely don't do the place justice though, so I guess you all are just gonna have to come over sometime after the wedding :)
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| Entry door to the left there, living room in front, and bathroom on the right. The living is twice as big as it looks here, promise! |
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| The front door is behind the picture, so the bedroom pictured here is on the right. I love those double doors! And you can see the big kitchen on the left. |
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| Humungo kitchen! I can't wait to cook in there :D |
Can't wait to see it!